Heterofullerenes: Structure and property predictions,possible uses and synthesis proposals

Summary Substituting carbon atoms of fullerenes by heteroatoms and vacancies will lead to new and yet unknown spherical-shaped molecules termed hereafter as heterofullerenes. The enormous structural diversity of these molecules is investigated and their structural, electronic and thermochemical properties are predicted using semiempirical computations. Computational results for complexes with ions lead to the hypothesis that these molecules behave like microscopic Faraday cages in which the electrons concentrate on the outer side of the sphere. It is predicted that some of these heterofullerenes are structurally and electronically similar to phthalocyanines and related molecules but offer many additional advantages. Potential uses such as adding heterofullerenes to fullerene materials, as superior starting materials for the fabrication of diamonds, as catalysts in hydrogenation reactions, as components of materials dominated until now by phthalocyanines, etc., are discussed. Simple synthetic routes to these compounds that are based on minor alternations of existing methods for fullerene production are proposed. On the basis of the thermochemical calculations, we believe that the most promising possibility consists of using metal cyanide/graphite composite target rods instead of pure graphite rods as in a conventional fullerene synthesis.     

Experimental and modeling analysis of mechanical-electrical behaviors of polypropylene composites filled with graphite and MWCNT fillers

The incorporation of carbon fillers can improve the thermal and electrical conductivities of polymer composites but will also have a significant effect on the flexural and tensile behavior. In this paper, two types of carbon fillers were added to polypropylene - carbon nanotubes and synthetic graphite. The influences of these filler materials on the tensile, flexural and fracture toughness characteristics were measured and the electrical conductivity of composites was also investigated. It was observed that the fillers lead to a remarkable increase in the flexural and tensile modulus of polypropylene composites. The maximum flexural and tensile strengths slightly increased with the addition of graphite, however, they were significantly increased in the case of carbon nanotubes because MWCNTs possess exceptional stiffness and strength and their length to diameter ratio is extremely high when compared with graphite. Electrical conductivity of polypropylene composites was evaluated. Noteworthy, composites based on synthetic graphite show a percolation process at one order of magnitude concentration higher than MWCNT filled polypropylene. Fracture toughness results open a wide range of applications for PP-MWCNT composites. Several prediction models were inspected in this research and it was concluded that inverse rule of mixtures model showed the most accurate predictions of the tensile modulus for composites made of polypropylene.     

Co3O4/CoO/Co/石墨复合材料的制备及其电容性能研究

以葡萄糖为前驱物,采用水热法合成了胶态碳球,然后利用胶态碳球制备了Co3O4/CoO/Co/石墨复合材料.此复合材料与其它研究者采用类似方法制备的物质相比具有完全不同的结构,它们是由多层不同物质组成的球形结构,其最外层是Co3O4,第二层是CoO,第三层是Co,最里面一层是石墨.采用循环伏安和恒电流充放电等方法对Co3...     

Characterisation of diamond coatings with different morphologies by Raman spectroscopy using various laser wavelengths

Since the beginning of low-pressure diamond synthesis, Raman spectroscopy has been widely used to identify and characterise the quality of diamonds. The diamond crystal is characterised by a Raman peak at about 1,332 cm^-1. Other peaks are associated with miscellaneous carbon structures, e.g. graphite and amorphous phases. In recent years, both well-faceted crystalline diamonds and nanocrystalline and ultrananocrystalline diamonds have been investigated. For these fine-grained materials, the diamond peak at 1,332 cm^-1 disappears and the intensities of peaks at other wavelengths increase. To study the influence of the Raman laser wavelength, three lasers were used (472.681 nm, blue; 532.1 nm, green; 632.81 nm, red). For well-faceted diamonds, the Raman spectra with blue and green laser light were similar. A shift of the peak maxima and different intensities were observed. With use of the red laser, a strong luminescence peak and low peak intensities for the various carbon-related peaks occurred. When the diamond morphology changes from well-faceted to fine-grained ballas diamond, the spectra are similar for all three lasers.     

Thermodynamics of carbyne

Published data on the thermodynamic properties of carbyne are analyzed and generalized. The thermodynamic properties of carbyne are compared with the properties of other allotropic modifications of carbon (fullerenes, diamonds, and graphite). Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 971–980, June, 2000.     

Photochemically catalyzed reaction of ochratoxin A with D- and L-cysteine

The photolysis (>300 nm) of ochratoxin A (OTA, N-[[(3R)-5-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-7-isochromanyl]carbonyl]-3-phenyl-L-alanine, 1) in the presence of excess (2 and 12 molar equiv) cysteine (CySH) has been investigated and found to yield sulfur adducts 5 and 6 that are characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The adduct 5 was ascribed to the Michael addition conjugate resulting from covalent attachment of CySH to the ochratoxin quinone (4) generated by photooxidation of OTA. This species was also formed by photolysis of a synthetic sample of the hydroquinone of OTA (ochratoxin hydroquinone, 3) in the presence of 12 equiv L-CySH. The conjugate 5 derived from photolysis of 3 with L-CySH was used for 1H-NMR analysis. The sulfur adduct 6 was the major species detected from covalent attachment of CySH to photoactivated OTA, and it resulted from direct displacement of the OTA Cl atom by CySH. The implications of the cysteinyl adducts to the in vivo toxicity of OTA are discussed, with particular emphasis given to conjugate 5, as products from the photooxidative pathway may be of relevance to the nephrotoxic properties of OTA.     

C/C composite anodes for long-life lithium-ion batteries

The research of anodic materials which could improve the performance and reduce the cost of graphite-based materials in lithium-ion batteries leads to a considerable effort for creating novel carbons. In this work, special attention has been paid to investigating the possibility of improving the electrochemical behavior of graphite anode by application of composite materials with carbon materials coming from agro-wastes. For that, different carbons coming from agro-wastes have been synthesized and characterized in order to study the effect of their properties on the electrochemical performance of C/C composites with graphite. It has been established that introduction of hard carbon obtained from olive stones into the active mass of anode based on graphite allows one to increase the reversible capacity up to 405 mAh g^?1 for the total mass of graphite/carbon content of electrode, and also to improve stability of characteristics during cycling. We suggested that such a binary carbon mixture (graphite and hard carbon) would be a better choice for development of the anode for lithium-ion battery.     

Electrochemical performance of lithium ion capacitors with different types of negative electrodes

The electrochemical properties of various commercial carbon materials (activated carbon (AC), graphite (GP) and hard carbon (HC)) have been investigated for use as negative electrode for lithium ion capacitors. The rate capabilities and cycle durabilities are tested up to 20 C and 1000 cycles using full cell configurations. It is found that the lithium ion could not efficiently intercalate into the activated carbon materials. The symmetrical AC/AC capacitor shows good cycle durabilities at 10 C with capacity of 17 mA h g^?1. The asymmetrical capacitors AC/GP and AC/HC with intercalated negative electrodes show higher capacities than that of AC/AC capacitor. Moreover, the AC/HC has better rate capabilities than AC/GP.     

Composite material for medical application

Composite material for medical application on the basis of polydimethylsiloxane rubber (PDMS) and graphite was obtained. The physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the material depending on the quantity, purity of the modifier and its preliminary treatment were studied. The established physico-chemical properties of the material surface allow to make the preliminary prediction of its thromboresistance.     

Surface modification of several carbon-based materials: comparison between CF4 rf plasma and direct F2-gas fluorination routes

Due to their extreme reactivity, fluorine and fluorinated gases may be used to modify the surface properties of numerous materials. In the following, the surface fluorination of some carbon-based compounds (graphite, graphitised carbon fibres, carbon blacks and elastomers) using CF₄ rf plasma technique and direct F₂-gas fluorination is proposed. From XPS studies, the different types of CF bonding obtained in the materials after treatment have been correlated either to the physico-chemical characteristics of the pristine material or to the experimental parameters of the fluorination. Reaction mechanisms are proposed.     

三氧化钼——一种新型有机系钠离子储能器件负极材料

由于锂资源短缺,我们尝试使用三氧化钼作为钠离子储能装置负极材料。通过一种简单的方法合成了三氧化钼,使用XRD、SEM和TEM等测试手段对其物性进行了表征。利用三氧化钼作为有机系钠离子储能器件的负极材料,通过循环伏安和恒流充放电测试探讨了负极材料的储钠机理。以三氧化钼(MoO3)作为负极材料,活性炭(AC)和石墨(graphite)作为正极材料,组装成新型的电化学储能器件,研究了两种器件在1mol/L NaPF6的碳酸丙烯酯(PC)中的电化学性能。两种器件的电压范围分别为0~3.2V和0~3.5V,能量密度最高可分别达到31.6和53 Wh/kg,长循环性能远远优于AC/AC对称电容器。此种储能装置有望成为锂离子电池的一个很好的替代。     

Microstructure and properties of polyacrylonitrile based carbon fibers

The microstructure of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers with different mechanical properties was investigated. It was found that the tensile strength of the PAN-based carbon fibers generally decrease with the increase in the modulus. The properties of PAN-based carbon fiber are mainly controlled by the microstructure and microvoids. The increase in size and orientation of graphite crystallites follows the decrease in interlayer space of graphite sheets, which accompanies the increase in modulus and decrease in tensile strength of the carbon fibers. Simultaneously, the increase in the modulus of the carbon fibers accompanies the merging of the elliptical microvoids along the fiber axis and the turbostratic graphite in the carbon fibers transforms into 3D ordered graphite lamellar structure. This work provides useful information on tailoring the mechanical properties of carbon fibers by adjusting the microstructure.     

Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Fullerene C60 Nanofillers

Summary: The effect of fulleroids (fullerene C₆₀, mixture of C₆₀/C₇₀ and fulleroids soot which used for fullerenes production) and carbon fillers (carbon black, graphite) on mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites based on reactoplasts (epoxy resins) and thermoplasts (polyamide-12) was investigated. The nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization. It was found that additives of these fillers did not influenced on the properties of reactoplasts. Therefore, the tensile modulus and tensile strength of thermoplast based polymer nanocomposites are improved by about 30-40% with loading of 0.02-0.08 fulleroids materials. Best results were obtained for a mixture of C₆₀/C₇₀.     

Thermal conductivity of exfoliated graphite nanocomposites

Since the late 1990’s, research has been reported where intercalated, expanded, and/or exfoliated graphite nanoflakes could also be used as reinforcements in polymer systems. The key point to utilizing graphite as a platelet nanoreinforcement is in the ability to exfoliate graphite using Graphite Intercalated Compounds (GICs). Natural graphite is still abundant and its cost is quite low compared to the other nano–size carbon materials, the cost of producing graphite nanoplatelets is expected to be ~$5/lb. This is significantly less expensive than single wall nanotubes (SWNT) (>$45000/lb) or vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) ($40–50/lb), yet the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of crystalline graphite flakes are comparable to those of SWNT and VGCF. The use of exfoliated graphite flakes (xGnP) opens up many new applications where electromagnetic shielding, high thermal conductivity, gas barrier resistance or low flammability are required. A special thermal treatment was developed to exfoliate graphite flakes for the production of nylon and high density polypropylene nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to assess the degree of exfoliation of the graphite platelets and the morphology of the nanocomposites. The thermal conductivity of these composites was investigated by three different methods, namely, by DSC, modified hot wire, and halogen flash lamp methods. The addition of small amounts of exfoliated graphite flakes showed a marked improvement in thermal and electrical conductivity of the composites.     

Towards ochratoxin A selective molecularly imprinted polymers for solid-phase extraction

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) displaying selective binding properties for the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) in polar/protic media were prepared. Crucial to the success of these efforts was the implementation of rationally designed OTA mimics as templates and a set of novel basic and neutral functional monomers, allowing the maximization of the template-functional monomer association via ion-pairing, hydrophobic and steric interactions. MIPs prepared with a 20:1:1:3 molar ratio of cross-linking agent, template mimic, basic functional monomer and hydrophobic auxiliary monomer produced polymers with superior recognition properties compared to materials generated with other stoichiometries. Chromatographic evaluation using the OTA mimics, OTA and a set of structurally closely related compounds as analytes revealed pronounced substrate selectivity of these MIPs in polar/protic media, the templates and OTA being bound with significantly higher affinities. Complementary substrate selectivities/affinities were observed in aprotic and apolar solvents. The possibility of solvent-dependent tuning of substrate selectivity/affinity and the high binding capacity recommend the developed MIPs as promising solid-phase extraction adsorbents for clean-up and pre-concentration of OTA from various biologically relevant matrices.     

Effect of fluorination on the surface properties of carbon materials as probed by gas chromatography

The surface properties of graphite, carbon fiber, and their fluorination products were studied using gas chromatography. The retention volumes and Kovatz indices for saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated and nitrogenated compounds were determined. Regardless of the properties of the matrix, fluorination produces materials with chemically homogeneous and apolar surfaces. For fluorinated graphite, the decrease in the retention of branched alcohols compared to that of linear alcohols is more significant than for fluorinated carbon fiber.     

The Electrochemistry of Black Carbons

“Modifications” of carbon—as long as they predominantly have the layered graphite structure—exhibit the following properties: (1) electrical conductance, (2) the ability to accomodate ions or molecules between the layers of the lattice, and (3) the ability to react via functional groups at their surfaces (largely at the layer edges). The first of these properties has led to carbon being used as an “inert” electrode material; this aspect will not be considered in this article. The combination of the first and second properties leads to the possibility of electrochemical intercalation. This aspect of black carbon's properties will be described, using both literature data and our own results, in terms of both the basic information and the methodology associated with its uses. In addition to the formation of graphite salts the origin of graphite oxide and the various methods which have been used to analyze these materials will be reviewed. The functional groups [(cf. 3) above] can also be reacted electrochemically. Here, particular emphasis will be placed on detailed results obtained from chemically modified carbon electrodes and also from surface oxides and fluorides. Reference will be made to the technological uses of surface oxidized carbon fibers in composite materials and also generally to possible future uses of graphite based compounds.     

Thermally Expanded Graphite as Functional Material in the Technology of Electrode Material with Mixed Conductivity

Methods of differential thermal analysis and cyclic voltammetry were used to examine the functional properties of thermally expanded graphite in an electrode material for electrochemical systems. This material contains platinum, carbon black, and proton-conducting polymer Nafion. It was shown that addition of thermally expanded graphite to the electrode material makes higher the thermal stability of Nafion. Under an electrochemical treatment, thermally expanded graphite compares well in stability against this treatment with the commonly used carbon black of the Vulcan XC-72 type. A mechanism is suggested for stabilizing the proton-conducting polymer Nafion in the presence of thermally expanded graphite. It was shown that thermally expanded graphite is promising for being used in the technology of electrode materials with mixed conductivity, which contain a proton-conducting polymer of the Nafion type, as a functional additive serving to improve the thermal stability.     

Carbothermal reduction of the YSZ–NiO solid oxide fuel cell anode precursor by carbon-based materials

The thermal behavior of the yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and nickel oxide (YSZ–NiO) composite mixtures with the addition of graphite, multiwall carbon nanotubes and functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes was studied. The YSZ–NiO composite is the precursor of the YSZ–Ni anode of solid oxide fuel cells. The anode exhibits a porous structure, which is usually obtained by the addition of carbon containing pore formers. Thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction evidenced that the properties of carbonaceous materials (C) and atmosphere have a strong influence on the thermal evolution of the reactions taking place upon heating the anode precursor. The dependence of both the carbon content and the chemical nature of the ceramic matrix on the thermal behavior of the composite were investigated. The discussed results evidenced important features for optimized processing of the anode.     

Application of anodized edge-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode for analysis of clindamycin in pharmaceutical formulations and human urine samples

Different graphitic carbon-based electrode materials were evaluated for direct electro-oxidation of clindamycin and electroanalytical parameters such as sensitivity, residual background current, and signal-tobackground current ratio were compared to select the best one for the clindamycin electroanalysis. Such electrode materials include glassy carbon, carbon paste, pyrolytic graphite (edge-plane and basal-plane), carbon nanotube, reduced graphene oxide, and carbon black. The edge-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode after a simple and fast electrochemical pretreatment showed superior performance compared with the other carbon electrodes. Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to analyze the surface microstructure and chemical bonding of the carbon materials and scanning electron microscopy was used to study their surface morphologic features. The applicability of the electrochemically activated edge-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode for the determination of clindamycin in pharmaceutical formulations and human urine samples was evaluated.